Akasa Air to hire 500 pilots, add 12 planes per year over 3 years

Akasa Air plans to hire more than 500 pilots over the next three years to support a planned induction of more than a dozen planes annually in the same period and enhance the share of aircraft deployment on international routes to about 40%, chief executive Vinay Dube told ET.

The budget airline, which currently has more than 800 pilots, stopped hiring in 2024 after Boeing’s production delays slowed aircraft delivery, leaving it with surplus pilots. Rather than layoff trained crew, Akasa decided to retain them despite the higher costs involved.

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The airline resumed recruitment about a year ago following an improvement in aircraft deliveries by Boeing. The new pilots will be hired through Akasa’s cadet programme and by recruiting those holding fresh commercial pilot licences.

“We are now hiring pilots...our pilot numbers are over 800,” Dube said. “In the next two to three years, between the cadet programme and commercial pilot licence (CPL) holders, the combination should be over 500.”

Akasa currently operates a fleet of 40 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It took delivery of nine planes so far this calendar year, and expects three more this month, taking deliveries to at least a dozen by August-end.

Dube said the airline expects to induct more than 12 aircraft annually over the next three years as Boeing’s production stabilises and deliveries gather pace.

The airline is targeting a 60:40 domestic-international capacity split over the next two to three years. As more planes join the fleet, Akasa plans to deploy a larger share of capacity on international routes, which Dube said would improve revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK).

The strategy builds on Akasa’s international expansion. DGCA data showed the airline carried 400,525 international passengers in the first half of 2026, exceeding the 368,743 passengers flown during the whole of 2025 as it expanded overseas destinations and capacity.

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“I can see us getting up to 60-40... maybe two to three years from now,” said Dube. “I think 60-40 is not unrealistic in that timeframe. As aircraft deliveries improve, we will allocate more capacity to international destinations.”

Dube said the induction of Boeing’s larger 737 MAX 10 aircraft, along with a bigger fleet, would help reduce unit costs through economies of scale, while the higher international mix would support stronger earnings.